The conversation was here interrupted by several hurried knocks at the door, and Suzanne's voice was heard, crying:
"Open the door, monsieur, for pity's sake!"
Cloarek instantly complied with the request.
"What is the matter?" he exclaimed, seeing Suzanne standing there, pale and terrified.
"Thérèse was just closing the windows in the dining-room, when she saw, in the moonlight, two men peering over the garden wall."
"Thérèse is a coward, afraid of her own shadow, I expect."
"Oh, no, monsieur, Thérèse did see the two men distinctly. They were evidently about to enter the garden, when the noise she made in opening the window frightened them away."
"These fears seem to me greatly exaggerated," replied Cloarek; "still, take good care not to say anything about this to Sabine to-morrow. It will only make the poor child terribly uneasy. It is a splendid moonlight night, and I will go out into the garden and satisfy myself that everything is all right."
"Go out into the garden!" cried Suzanne, in great alarm. "Don't think of such a thing. It would be very dangerous, I am sure."
"That is all nonsense, my dear Suzanne," said Cloarek, turning toward the door. "You are as great a coward as Thérèse."